Editor's Letter

Green is not black & white

By Frankie Abralind

"Should I get a diesel or a hybrid?" That's a question lots of us get these days. Earnest neighbors come to us, the local biodiesel sages, and want instructions for being more sustainable. They want a clear answer, right now: which is better for the environment?

My advice? Don't fall into that trap. Give an answer, but don't answer that question.

"Biodiesel is the greatest." That's what I respond. "Try not to drive at all." I just know too many folks who've bought diesels for the opportunity to run biodiesel, bling-ed them out with stickers, and proceeded to run biodiesel only occasionally or not at all. Or they're getting B5 at the pump (the equivalent of B100 once every 20 tanks!).

The point is, sustainability is a spectrum. "Green" does not come in black and white.

It's the same challenge in any industry now with the rising popularity of eco-friendliness. We're left to distinguish between the truly committed (Fast Company Magazine, my second-favorite magazine, is printed on 100% recycled paper, 80% post-consumer) and the greenwashers (another magazine recently trumpeted their commitment to hit 30% recyclable [sic] content in their pages).

Farm- and heavy equipment manufacturer Case New Holland, on the other hand, is a company that has demonstrated real sustainability leadership.

New Holland helped fill in the sustainability spectrum last fall when it officially approved B100 use under its equipment warrantees. It is the first OEM (original equipment manufacturer) to have done so.

Please take a minute to write a personal note on the enclosed postcard and send it in to New Holland. [Editor's note: this card was included in the magazine when it mailed out] Consumer pressure brought New Holland to B100. Let's encourage this role model to keep up the good work and bring more OEM's to the table.

Because biodiesel is the greatest!

Comments